Devices for supporting and transporting sheet materials

ABSTRACT

In one exemplary embodiment, a low-profile clamping system generally includes first and second elongate supports engageable with an edge portion of a sheet material for supporting at least part of the sheet material against bending. A fastener can releasably couple the first and second elongate supports to the edge portion of the sheet material. The first and second elongate supports define a channel for receiving the edge portion of the sheet material into the channel when supporting the sheet material. In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for transporting a sheet material generally includes a frame, at least one wheel coupled to the frame for allowing rolling movement of the frame, and an adjustable vice coupled to the frame for securing a sheet material in the vice on the frame.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to devices for supporting andtransporting sheet materials, and more particularly to clamping systemspositionable over edge portions of sheet materials for supporting thesheet materials against bending, and dollies for transporting the sheetmaterials.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Sheet materials (e.g., natural stone countertops, glass sheets, etc.)are often used, for example, in building construction. The sheetmaterials are often processed (e.g., cut, shaped, finished, etc.) at onelocation and then stored and later transported to a constructiondestination for installation. Such sheet materials, however, are oftenfragile and can be damaged during processing, storage, and/ortransportation if not properly supported and/or handled.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directedtoward clamping systems suitable for installation to, for example, sheetmaterials for use in supporting at least part of the sheet materialsagainst bending. In one exemplary embodiment, a clamping systemgenerally includes first and second elongate supports engageable with asheet material for supporting at least part of the sheet material. Afastener can releasably couple the first and second elongate supports tothe sheet material. The first elongate support includes an opening. Thefastener extends through the opening when releasably coupling the firstand second elongate supports to the sheet material.

In another exemplary embodiment, a clamping system generally includesfirst and second opposing engagement members for receiving an edgeportion of a sheet material between the engagement members whensupporting at least part of the sheet material. A fastener canreleasably couple the first and second engagement members to the edgeportion of the sheet material. At least part of the first engagementmember is generally contained within a first plane, and at least part ofthe second engagement member is generally contained within a secondplane oriented generally parallel to the first plane. The fastener isdisposed generally between the first and second planes.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a clamping system generallyincludes first and second elongate supports engageable with an edgeportion of a sheet material for supporting at least part of the sheetmaterial. A fastener can releasably couple the first and second elongatesupports to the edge portion of the sheet material. The first and secondelongate supports define a channel for receiving the edge portion of thesheet material into the channel when supporting the sheet material.

Other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are generallydirected toward apparatus for transporting sheet materials. In oneexemplary embodiment, an apparatus generally includes a frame, at leastone wheel coupled to the frame for allowing rolling movement of theframe, and an adjustable vice coupled to the frame for securing a sheetmaterial in the vice on the frame.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific example embodiments are intended for purposes of illustrationonly and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a clampingsystem shown installed to a countertop;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a clamp of the clamping system of FIG. 1with the countertop removed;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation view of the clamp of FIG. 2 shownsecured to the countertop;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end elevation view of three of the clamps ofFIG. 2 each shown secured to a countertop with the countertops arrangedin a generally stacked orientation;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end elevation view of a clamp of anotherexemplary embodiment of a clamping system showing the clamp secured to acountertop;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dolly foruse in transporting a countertop; and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the dolly of FIG. 6 shown holding acountertop for transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplaryembodiment of a clamping system 100 for use in supporting at least partof a sheet material (e.g., a countertop 101, etc.) against bending. Theclamping system 100 may be installed to the countertop 101 to providestability, stiffness, rigidity, etc. to the countertop 101 during, forexample, processing, transport, installation, etc. It is to beunderstood that sheet material, as used herein, may include any materialand/or form of material that is desired to be supported within the scopeof the present disclosure. For example, sheet material may includenatural stone materials (e.g., granite, marble, limestone, slate, etc.),glass, metals, plastics, woods, composites, etc. And sheet material maybe in the form of countertops, sheets, slabs, sheet-type buildingmaterials, other sheet-type materials, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated clamping system 100 generallyincludes two clamps (each indicated at 102) that are each positionableover a respective longitudinal edge portion 103 of the countertop 101.For example, each clamp 102 may be slid over a respective longitudinaledge portion 103 of the countertop 101 and then releasably coupled(e.g., secured, tightened, compressed, etc.) to the countertop 101 tosupport (e.g., provide stability, stiffness, etc.) at least part of thecountertop 101 against bending. The clamps 102 can be positioned overany edge portion of the countertop 101 (not just the longitudinal edgeportions 103) within the scope of the present disclosure. In otherexemplary embodiments, clamping systems may include more than or fewerthan two clamps for use in supporting sheet materials.

With reference now to FIG. 2, one clamp 102 of the illustrated clampingsystem 100 will be described with it understood that a description ofthe other clamp 102 is substantially the same. The illustrated clamp 102includes a first elongate support 106 and a second elongate support 108.The supports 106 and 108 are engageable with a longitudinal edge portion103 of the countertop 101 for supporting at least part of the countertop101 against bending (FIG. 1). Fasteners 110 are provided for releasablysecuring the first and second supports 106 and 108 to the countertop101. The supports 106 and 108 and/or fasteners 110 may be formed frommaterials including, for example, metals (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.),plastics, composites, combinations thereof, etc. within the scope of thepresent disclosure. And the fasteners 110 can include, for example,screws, bolts, pins, clips, tabs, springs, other spring members, levers,cams, etc. within the scope of the present disclosure. Alternatively,one or more of the fasteners 110 may be formed integrally,monolithically, etc. with the second support 108 within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Further, the fasteners 110 may be countersunkrelative to the second support 108. And while the illustrated clamp 102includes five fasteners 110, in other exemplary embodiments, clampingsystems may include clamps having more than or fewer than five fasteners(e.g., three fasteners, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 3, the first support 106 of the illustrated clamp 102is generally S-shaped (as generally defined by three bends in thesupport 106). The bent shape of the support 106 can help rigidify,stiffen, etc. the support 106 against bending to help provide support tothe countertop 101. The support 106 generally includes an engagementmember 114 for engaging an upper part of the countertop 101. The support106 also includes a back member 116 connected to the engagement member114, and a fastener member 118 connected to the back member 116. Theback member 116 is oriented generally perpendicularly to the engagementmember 114; and the fastener member 118 is oriented generallyperpendicularly to the back member 116. The fastener member 118 can alsoinclude a lip 120 to help, for example, further rigidify, etc. thesupport 106 against bending.

The second support 108 of the illustrated clamp 102 is generallyC-shaped (as defined by three bends in the support 108). The bent shapeof the support 108 can help rigidify, stiffen, etc. the support 108against bending to help provide support to the countertop 101 (togetherwith the first support 106). The support 108 generally includes anengagement member 124 for engaging a lower part of the countertop 101.The support 108 also includes a back member 126 connected to theengagement member 124, and a fastener member 128 connected to the backmember 126. The back member 126 is oriented generally perpendicularly tothe engagement member 124; and the fastener member 128 is orientedgenerally perpendicularly to the back member 126. The fastener member128 includes openings 132 (shown by broken lines in FIG. 3; only oneopening 132 is visible) for receiving the fasteners 110 through thesecond support 108 to releasably secure the first and second elongatesupports 106 and 108 to the countertop 101. The fastener member 128 canalso include a lip 130 to help, for example, further rigidify, etc. thesupport 108 against bending.

In other exemplary embodiments, clamping systems may include clamps withsupports defining shapes different than disclosed herein and/or havingdifferent numbers of bends than disclosed herein depending, for example,on the material used to form the supports and/or the supportingrequirements of sheet materials to be supported. For example, clampsupports may have engagement members, back members, and/or fastenermembers oriented relative to each other differently than, for example,generally perpendicularly within the scope of the present disclosure.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the first and second supports 106and 108 of the illustrated clamp 102 are generally coupled together todefine a channel 136 configured (e.g., sized, shaped, constructed, etc.)to receive the longitudinal edge portion 103 of the countertop 101therein. More particularly, the engagement member 114 of the firstsupport 106, the back member 116 of the first support 106, and theengagement member 124 of the second support 108 generally define thechannel 136. And the fastener member 118 of the first support 106, andthe back member 126 and fastener member 128 of the second support 108are disposed generally exteriorly of the channel 136. The fastenermembers 118 and 128 of the first and second supports 106 and 108 arealso positioned in generally parallel relation to each other, with thefastener member 118 of the first support 106 positioned generally belowthe fastener member 128 of the second support 108.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second supports 106 and 108are loosely coupled together independently of the fasteners 110. Forexample, coupling pins (not shown) can be connected to the first andsecond supports 106 and 108 toward longitudinal ends of the supports 106and 108 to loosely couple the supports 106 and 108 together. Thecoupling pins can generally hold the first and second supports 106 and108 together, but can also allow relative movement of the supports 106and 108 to help position the supports 106 and 108 over the longitudinaledge portion 103 of the countertop 101 (before the fasteners 110 aretightened). This relative movement can allow the same clamp 102 to beused with different sized countertops having, for example, differentthickness dimensions, etc. In other exemplary embodiments, clampingsystems may include clamps with fasteners that act to both couplesupports of the clamps together and releasably secure the clamps tosheet materials. In still other exemplary embodiments, clamping systemsmay include clamps with supports that are coupled together differentlythan disclosed herein (e.g., spring clips, hinges, etc.), or clamps withsupports that are not coupled together at all (e.g., the supports may beindividually positioned on sheet materials and then releasably securedto the sheet material by fasteners, etc.).

As also shown in FIG. 3, the fasteners 110 used to releasably secure theclamp 102 to the countertop 101 extend through the openings 132 in thefastener member 128 of the second support 108 and engage the fastenermember 118 of the first support 106. Base members 137 (e.g., nuts,washers, plates, etc.) may be connected to the fasteners 110 to improvecontact between the fasteners 110 and the fastener member 118 of thefirst support 106. Fastening fixtures 138 (e.g., spring clips, threadednuts, etc.) connected (e.g., welded, riveted, etc.) to the secondsupport 108 (generally under the fastener member 128 at the openings132) are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, constructed, etc.) to receivethe fasteners 110 and help releasably secure the first and secondsupports 106 and 108 to the countertop 101. In the illustratedembodiment, the fasteners 110 include threaded bolts and the fasteningfixtures 138 include correspondingly threaded nuts. And the fasteners110 are matingly received into the fastening fixtures 138 to allow thefasteners 110 to be tightened to secure the first and second supports106 and 108 to the countertop 101 (e.g., to compress and secure thefirst and second supports 106 and 108 against the countertop 101).Fasteners other than threaded fasteners, and/or fastening fixtures otherthan threaded fastening fixtures may be used within the scope of thepresent disclosure. And while in the illustrated embodiment, onefastening fixture 138 is provided for receiving each fastener 110, inother exemplary embodiments, single fastening fixtures may be providedfor receiving all fasteners of clamps. For example, in one exemplaryembedment, a clamp may include a support in which a single fasteningfixture is connected to an underside of a fastener member of thesupport. Here, openings are formed in the single fastening fixture toreceive each fastener through the single fastening fixture to secure theclamp to sheet material.

Installation of the illustrated clamping system 100 to the countertop101 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. Each of theclamps 102 may initially be positioned over opposing longitudinal edgeportions 103 of the countertop 101 at generally central locations alongthe edge portions 103. The clamps 102 may then be secured to thecountertop 101 by the fasteners 110. Positioning and securing one clamp102 to a longitudinal edge portion 103 of the countertop 101 will bedescribed with it understood that a description of positioning andsecuring the other clamp 102 is the same.

The fasteners 110 of the clamp 102 can initially be loosened so that thesupports 106 and 108 of each clamp 102 can be moved relative to eachother. This allows the supports 106 and 108 to be generally separated toprovide space between the supports 106 and 108 to properly position theclamp 102 over the countertop edge portion 103. The separated supports106 and 108 may then be slid over the countertop edge portion 103 sothat the first support 106 is located generally over an upper part ofthe countertop edge portion 103 and the second support 108 is locatedgenerally under a lower part of the counter top edge portion 103 (withthe countertop edge portion 103 thus received between the engagementmembers 114 and 124 of the first and second supports 106 and 108 (FIG.3)). As shown in FIG. 3, in this position the back member 116 of thefirst support 106 may be closely adjacent the edge portion 103 (or mayabut the edge portion 103 in other exemplary embodiments). The generallythin configuration (e.g., size, shape, construction, etc.) of the firstand second supports 106 and 108 can allow them to be positioned (e.g.,slid, etc.) over the countertop edge portion 103 while the countertop101 is laying on a surface without lifting the countertop 101 off thesurface. For example, the second support 108 may be easily slid underthe countertop 101, between the countertop edge portion 103 and thesurface, without lifting the countertop 101.

After positioning the first and second supports 106 and 108 over thecountertop edge portion 103, the fasteners 110 may be tightened tosecure the supports 106 and 108 against the countertop 101 (e.g., toprovides a force against the countertop 101 to hold the supports 106 and108 on the countertop 101, etc.). The fasteners 110 may be tightened byusing, for example, a tool (e.g., an allen wrench, etc.) to rotate thefasteners 110 through the fastening fixtures 138 to compress thesupports 106 and 108 against the countertop 101. As the fasteners 110are moved through the fastening fixtures 138, they apply a pushing forceon the fastener member 118 of the first support 106. This moves thefirst support 106 generally toward the second support 108, and theengagement members 114 and 124 of each support 106 and 108 securely intoengagement with the countertop 101. Additional tightening movement ofthe fasteners 110 can flex the fastener members 118 and/or 128 of thefirst and/or second supports 106 and/or 108 relative to theircorresponding engagement members 114 and 124. This can create a tensionforce in the supports 106 and/or 108 that can further help compress theengagement members 114 and 124 of the supports 106 and 108 against thecountertop 101 (and further help securely hold the clamp 102 on thecountertop 101).

The clamps 102 may each be removed from the edge portions 103 of thecountertop 101 when necessary by loosening the fasteners 110 of eachclamp 102 and sliding each clamp 102 off the respective countertop edgeportion 103. The clamps 102 may then be reused as desired. Theengagement members 114 and 124 of the clamp supports 106 and 108 mayinclude linings, coverings, etc. to help prevent the engagement members114 and 124 of the supports 106 and 108 from marring, scratching, etc. asurface of the countertop 101 when secured thereto.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 3, the illustrated clamping system100 may be understood to have a generally low profile, for examplerelative to a thickness of the countertop 101. For example, in eachclamp 102, at least part of the engagement member 114 of the firstsupport 106 is generally contained within a first plane, and at leastpart of the engagement member 124 of the second support 108 is generallycontained within a second plane (FIG. 3). The first plane is orientedgenerally parallel to the second plane, and the fasteners 110 of theclamp 102 are disposed generally between the first and second planes ofthe clamp 102 such that the fasteners 110 do not extend substantiallyabove and/or below the supports 106 and 108 (FIG. 3). Thus, installationof the clamping system 100 to the countertop 101 does not substantiallyincrease the total thickness of the countertop 101 (FIG. 3).

The low-profile clamping system 100 can provide support to thecountertop 101 during processing operations (e.g., cutting, finishing,etc.) of the countertop 101 without interference by the clamping system100. For example, the low-profile clamping system 100 and countertop 101are generally within input tolerances (e.g., thickness tolerances, etc.)of tools and/or machines used to process the countertop 101. Thecountertop 101 and clamping system 100 can thus move together throughthe various processing tools and/or machines without interference by theclamping system 100.

The low-profile clamping system 100 also can provide support to thecountertop 101 during storing and/or transport of the countertop 101without wasting space between the countertop 101 and an adjacentstacked, positioned, etc. countertop. For example, the low-profileclamping system 100 allows the countertop 101 to be closely stacked,positioned, etc. with other countertops having, for example, clampingsystems 100 installed thereto. In FIG. 4, for example, three countertops(each indicated 101) are shown each with a clamp 102 of the low-profileclamping system 100 secured thereto. And the countertops 101 and clamps102 are shown vertically stacked (and horizontally oriented) in closerelationship (e.g., without large, wasted spaces between the countertops101, etc.). The engagement members 114 and 124 of the first and secondsupports 106 and 108 each define an exterior stacking surface 140 whichallows the countertops 101 to be stacked in close relationship. Thecountertops 101 may be stacked with the stacking surface 140 of oneclamp 102 in generally face-to-face engagement with the stacking surfaceof an adjacent clamp 102. Alternatively, the countertops 101 may bestacked with the stacking surface 140 of one clamp 102 in generallyface-to-face engagement with at least part of a surface of an adjacentcountertop 101. It is to be understood that the countertops 101 may bevertically oriented and closely stored within the scope of the presentdisclosure. In other exemplary embodiments, clamping systems may includeclamps in which adjacent stacking surfaces have complimentary groovepairs such that adjacent sheet materials are inhibited from sliding inone or more directions.

The low-profile clamping system 100 can further provide support to thecountertop 101 during installation of the countertop 101 (e.g.,installation of a countertop in a residential home, etc.) withoutinterfering with installation operation. For example, the low-profileclamping system 100 can provide support to the countertop 101 as it istransported to a location for installation, and as it is manipulated(e.g., carried, rotated, etc.) during the installation operation withoutinterference. As such, the clamping system 100 may allow the countertop101 to be positioned above a lower section of cabinets and below anupper section of cabinets without interference (and without requiringremoval of the clamping system 100 before positioning the countertop101).

In another exemplary embodiment, a clamping system includes a clamphaving an overall length dimension of about 72.0 inches (about 182.9centimeters). A first support is generally S-shaped and includes anengagement member having a length dimension of about 2.3 inches (about5.7 centimeters), a beach member having a length dimension of about 1.0inches (about 2.5 centimeters), and a fastener member having a lengthdimension of about 1.0 inches (about 2.5 centimeters). A second supportis generally C-shaped and includes an engagement member having a lengthdimension of about 3.3 inches (about 8.3 centimeters), a back memberhaving a length dimension of about 1.0 inches (about 2.5 centimeters),and a fastening member having a length dimension of about 1.0 inches(about 2.5 centimeters). The engagement member, back member, andfastener member of each support may have a thickness dimension of about0.1 inches (about 0.2 centimeters).

In this embodiment, the first and second supports may be coupledtogether by coupling pins. The coupling pins can generally hold thefirst and second supports together, but can also allow relative movementof the supports to help position the supports over the edge portion ofthe sheet material. The supports can thus be adjusted to accommodatesheet material having thicknesses, for example, between about 1.1 inches(about 2.7 centimeters) and about 1.4 inches (about 3.6 centimeters).Clamping systems may include clamps with different dimensions thandisclosed herein. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, a clamp mayhave a length dimension of about thirty-six inches. In other exemplaryembodiments, clamping systems may include clamps each having one or moredifferent length dimensions. Further, it should be appreciated that thelength dimension of a clamp may indicate a number of fasteners to beincluded with the clamp.

FIG. 5 illustrates a clamp 202 of a low-profile clamping system 200according to another exemplary embodiment. The clamp 202 is shownpositioned over an edge portion 203 of a countertop 201 and securedthereto. The clamp 202 generally includes a first support 206, a secondsupport 208, and fasteners 210 for releasably securing the supports 206and 208 to the countertop 201. And the fasteners 210 do not extendsubstantially above and/or below the supports 206 and 208. In thisembodiment, the fasteners 210 extend through openings 232 in fasteningmembers 218 and 228 of each of the first and second supports 206 and208, and operate to pull the supports 206 and 208 generally togetherwhen tightened, etc. to secure the supports 206 and 208 to thecountertop.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a dolly 350 suitablefor use in transporting a countertop 301. The dolly 350 includes a frame352 having wheels 354 and 356 coupled thereto for allowing rollingmovement of the dolly 350 over, for example, a ground surface 357. Thewheels 356 are rotatable and can help guide, maneuver, etc. the dolly350 over the ground surface 357 without, for example, lifting the dolly350. Other wheel configurations may be used within the scope of thepresent disclosure. For example, more than or less than four totalwheels may be used with the dolly 350, and/or more than or less than tworotatable wheels may be used with the dolly 350. And while the wheels354 are sized differently from the wheels 356 in the illustratedembodiment, the wheels may all be similarly sized within the scope ofthe present disclosure. The dolly frame 352 may be formed from materialsincluding, for example, metals (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.), plastics,composites, combinations thereof, etc. within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The dolly 350 also includes an adjustable vice 360 coupled to the frame352 for use in securing the countertop 301 to the dolly 350. The vice360 generally includes a lever 362 and two push plates (each indicatedat 364) operatively coupled to the lever 362. A drive member (e.g., ascrew, etc.) (not shown) may connect the lever 362 to the push plates364 so that rotation of the lever 362 rotates the drive member and movesthe push plates 364 either together or apart. Edge platforms 368 arealso coupled to the dolly frame 352 on opposite sides of the vice 360 tohelp support and stabilize the countertop 301 when retained in the dolly350 by the vice 360.

Support walls (each indicated at 370) are coupled to each of the vicepush plates 364 to help hold the countertop 301 in the vice 360. Thewalls 370 are configured (e.g., sized, shaped, constructed, etc.) toengage the countertop 301 and hold it generally between the walls 370.In the illustrated embodiment, the walls 370 are each sized (e.g.,include a width dimension, height dimension, thickness dimension, etc.)to help inhibit movement of the countertop 301 relative to the dolly350. In other words, the walls 370 of the vice 360 are each sized toengage a sufficient portion of the countertop 301 to help inhibit thecountertop 301 from breaking within the vice 360, for example under theweight of the countertop 301. For example, the walls 370 in theillustrated dolly 350 may have a height dimension of about 5.0 inches(about 12.7 centimeters), a width dimension of about 15.4 inches (about39.1 centimeters), and a thickness dimension of about 0.5 inches (about1.3 centimeters). The walls 370 of the vice 360 may have differentdimensions than disclosed herein within the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, one of the vice walls 370 can have one or moredifferent dimensions than the other vice wall 370. In addition, theengagement portions of the walls 370 may include linings, coverings,etc. to help prevent them from marring, scratching, etc. surfaces of thecountertop 301 retained in the vice 360.

To place the countertop 301 in the dolly 350, the vice lever 362 caninitially be rotated to separate the support walls 370 so that thecountertop 301 can be placed between the walls 370 within the vice 360in a generally vertical position (with the edge platforms 368 receivingand supporting at least part of an edge portion of the countertop 301).The vice lever 362 can then be again rotated (e.g., in an oppositedirection to that for separating the support walls 370) to tighten thevice and move the walls 370 into engagement with the countertop 301.Here, the walls 370 squeeze the countertop 301 therebetween to securelyhold, clamp, etc. the countertop 301 on the dolly 350. The countertop301 can be disengaged from the vice 360 and removed from the dolly 350by rotating the vice lever 362 and moving the walls 370 away from thecountertop 301 (so that the countertop 301 may be lifted out of the vice360 and off the dolly 350).

Once the countertop 301 is secured in the dolly, the countertop 101 anddolly 350 can be jointly moved to transport the countertop 301 asdesired. In the illustrated embodiment, if it is required to move thecountertop 301 and dolly 350 up or down a step during transport, thecountertop 301 can be lifted, which results in the dolly 350 being alsolifted. When the step is cleared, the countertop 301 and dolly 350 canbe lowered and further rolled to the desired location. Thus, lifting thecountertop 301 when secured in the dolly 350 advantageously may notdisengage the countertop 301 from the dolly 350.

As shown in FIG. 7, the frame 352 of the dolly 350 and/or the wheels 354and 356 coupled to the frame 352 are configured (e.g., sized, shaped,constructed, etc.) to hold the countertop 301 a distance above theground surface 357 over which the dolly 350 may roll. In the illustratedembodiment, this includes a distance that may advantageously hold thelongitudinal ends of the countertop 301 above the ground surface 357when rolling the sheet material (on the dolly 350), for example, into aninclined surface 371. This may also include a distance that mayadvantageously hold the longitudinal ends of the countertop 301 abovethe ground surface 357 when rolling the sheet material (on the dolly350) out of an inclined surface, into and/or out of a declined surface,over curbs, etc. If such a distance above the ground surface is notprovided, the longitudinal ends of the countertop 301 may, for example,engage, drag, etc. the ground surface at the inclines and/or declinesand damage the countertop 301.

The materials, dimensions, etc. provided herein are for purposes ofillustration only. Clamping systems (and components thereof) and dollies(and components thereof) may be formed from different materials and/orwith different dimensions depending, for example, on the particularapplication, such as the type and/or size of sheet material to besupported and/or transported.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“secured”, “connected”, or “coupled” to another element, it can bedirectly connected or coupled to the other element or interveningelements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing “directly secured”, “directly connected”, or “directly coupled” toanother element, there are no intervening elements present. Other wordsused to describe the relationship between elements should be interpretedin a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent”versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,portions, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,portions, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,portion, or section from another element, component, region, portion, orsection. Thus, a first element, component, region, portion, or sectiondiscussed below could be termed a second element, component, region,portion, or section without departing from the scope of the exampleembodiments.

Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of reference only, andthus is not intended to be limiting. For example, terms such as “upper”,“lower”, “above”, and “below” refer to directions in the drawings towhich reference is made. Terms such as “front”, “forward”, “back”,“rear”, “rearward”, “bottom” and “side”, describe the orientation ofportions of the component within a consistent but arbitrary frame ofreference which is made clear by reference to the text and theassociated drawings describing the component under discussion. Suchterminology may include the words specifically mentioned above,derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Similarly, the terms“first”, “second” and other such numerical terms referring to structuresdo not imply a sequence or order or quantity unless clearly indicated bythe context.

When introducing elements or features of the present disclosure and theexemplary embodiments, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of such elements orfeatures. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intendedto be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements orfeatures other than those specifically noted.

The present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosureare intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Suchvariations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure.

1. A clamping system suitable for installation to a sheet material foruse in supporting at least part of the sheet material against bending,the clamping system comprising: first and second elongate supportsengageable with the sheet material for supporting at least part of thesheet material; a fastener for releasably coupling the first and secondelongate supports to the sheet material; wherein the second elongatesupport includes an opening, the fastener extending through said openingwhen releasably coupling the first and second elongate supports to thesheet material.
 2. The clamping system of claim 1 further comprising athreaded fixture connected to the second elongate support at saidopening, wherein the fastener includes a threaded fastener for matingreception within the threaded fixture for releasably coupling the firstand second elongate supports to the sheet material.
 3. The clampingsystem of claim 1 wherein the fastener engages the first elongatesupport and applies a pushing force to the first elongate support whenreleasably coupling the first and second elongate supports to the sheetmaterial.
 4. The clamping system of claim 1 wherein the first and secondelongate supports define a channel for receiving an edge portion of thesheet material into the channel when supporting the sheet material. 5.The clamping system of claim 4 wherein the first and second elongatesupports each include an engagement member for engaging the sheetmaterial, and a back member connected to the engagement member, eachback member being oriented generally perpendicularly to eachcorresponding engagement member.
 6. The clamping system of claim 5wherein the engagement member of the first elongate support, the backmember of the first elongate support, and the engagement member of thesecond elongate support generally define said channel.
 7. The clampingsystem of claim 5 wherein the first and second elongate supports eachinclude a fastener member operable with the fastener for releasablycoupling the first and second elongate supports to the sheet material,each fastener member being oriented generally perpendicularly to eachcorresponding back member.
 8. The clamping system of claim 1 wherein thefirst and second elongate supports are coupled together independently ofsaid fastener.
 9. The clamping system of claim 1 further comprising atleast three fasteners for releasably coupling the first and secondelongate supports to the sheet material.
 10. The clamping system ofclaim 1 further comprising: third and fourth elongate supportsengageable with the sheet material for supporting at least part of thesheet material; a fastener for releasably coupling the third and fourthelongate supports to the sheet material; wherein the first and secondelongate supports are engageable with the sheet material at a first edgeportion of the sheet material, and the third and fourth elongatesupports are engageable with the sheet material at a second edge portionof the sheet material.
 11. A low-profile clamping system suitable forinstallation to a sheet material for use in supporting at least part ofthe sheet material against bending, the clamping system comprising:first and second opposing engagement members for receiving an edgeportion of the sheet material between the engagement members whensupporting at least part of the sheet material; a fastener forreleasably coupling the first and second engagement members to the edgeportion of the sheet material; wherein at least part of the firstengagement member is generally contained within a first plane, and atleast part of the second engagement member is generally contained withina second plane oriented generally parallel to the first plane, thefastener being disposed generally between said first and second planes.12. The clamping system of claim 11 further comprising first and secondfastener members operable with the fastener for releasably coupling thefirst and second engagement members to the edge portion of the sheetmaterial, each fastener member being oriented generally parallel to eachcorresponding engagement member.
 13. The clamping system of claim 11wherein the second fastener member includes an opening, the fastenerextending through said opening and engaging the first fastener memberfor releasably coupling the first and second elongate supports to theedge portion of the sheet material.
 14. The clamping system of claim 11wherein at least one of the first and second engagement members includesa stackable surface for receiving at least part of an engagement memberof another clamping system into generally face-to-face engagement withsaid stackable surface for accommodating close-together placement of twoor more sheet materials to which the clamping systems are installed. 15.A clamping system suitable for installation to a sheet material for usein supporting at least part of the sheet material against bending, theclamping system comprising: first and second elongate supportsengageable with an edge portion of the sheet material for supporting atleast part of the sheet material; a fastener for releasably coupling thefirst and second elongate supports to the edge portion of the sheetmaterial; wherein the first and second elongate supports define achannel for receiving the edge portion of the sheet material into thechannel when supporting the sheet material.
 16. The clamping system ofclaim 15 wherein the first and second elongate supports each include anengagement member for engaging the edge portion of the sheet material,and a back member connected to the engagement member, each back memberbeing oriented generally perpendicularly to each correspondingengagement member.
 17. The clamping system of claim 16 wherein theengagement member of the first elongate support, the back member of thefirst elongate support, and the engagement member of the second elongatesupport generally define said channel.
 18. An apparatus for transportingsheet material, the apparatus comprising: a frame; at least one wheelcoupled to the frame for allowing rolling movement of the frame; anadjustable vice coupled to the frame for securing the sheet material inthe vice on the frame.
 19. The cart of claim 18 wherein the viceincludes opposing walls for engaging the sheet material generallybetween the walls, and a lever operatively coupled to the opposing wallsfor selectively moving the walls into engagement with the sheet materialto secure the sheet material on the base.
 20. The cart of claim 18comprising at least four wheels coupled to the frame.